Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices are provided. In an embodiment, a system can comprise one or more remotely controlled sensors and actuators. The remote sensors/actuators can interface with uniquely identified remote transceivers that transmit and/or receive data. The embodiment can also comprise a plurality of transceivers each having a unique address, and a controller adapted to communicate with at least one of the transceivers in a preformatted message. A sensor can be associated with at least one transceiver to detect a condition and output a data signal to the transceiver, and an actuator can be associated with a transceiver to receive a control signal and activate a device. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/758,590, filed Apr. 12, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/159,768, filed Jun. 23, 2005, and entitled“System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Remote Devices”, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,697,492, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/812,044, filed Mar. 19, 2001, and entitled“System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Remote Devices”, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,914,893. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/812,044 isa continuation-in-part of: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/704,150,filed Nov. 1, 2000, and entitled “System and Method for Monitoring andControlling Residential Devices”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,891,838; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/271,517, filed Mar. 18, 1999, andentitled, “System For Monitoring Conditions in a Residential LivingCommunity”, now abandoned; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/439,059,filed Nov. 12, 1999, and entitled, “System and Method for Monitoring andControlling Remote Devices”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,692; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/102,178, filed Jun. 22, 1998, and entitled,“Multi-Function General Purpose Transceiver”, now U.S. Pat. No.6,430,268; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/172,554, filed Oct. 14,1998, and entitled, “System for Monitoring the Light Level Around anATM”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,522; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/412,895, filed Oct. 5, 1999, and entitled, “System and Method forMonitoring the Light Level Around an ATM”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,953.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/812,044 also claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/224,043, filed Aug. 9, 2000,and entitled “SOS OEA Packet Message Protocol (RF)”. Each of theabove-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties as if fully set forth below.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to remotely operated systems,and more particularly to a system for monitoring, controlling and,reporting on remote systems utilizing radio frequency (RF)transmissions.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of systems for monitoring and controllingmanufacturing processes, inventory systems, and emergency controlsystems. Most automatic systems use remote sensors and controllers tomonitor and automatically respond to system parameters to reach desiredresults. A number of control systems utilize computers to process sensoroutputs, model system responses, and control actuators that implementprocess corrections within the system. For example, the electric powergeneration and metallurgical processing industries successfully controlproduction processes by utilizing computer control systems.

Many environmental and safety systems require real-time monitoring.Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC), firereporting and suppression systems, alarm systems, and access controlsystems utilize real-time monitoring, and often require immediatefeedback and control.

A problem with expanding the use of control system technology is thecost of the sensor/actuator infrastructure required to monitor andcontrol such systems. The typical approach to implementing controlsystem technology includes installing a local network of hardsensor(s)/actuator(s) and a local controller. There are expensesassociated with developing and installing the appropriatesensor(s)/actuator(s) and connecting functional sensor(s)/actuator(s)with the local controller. Another prohibitive cost of control systemsis the installation and operational expenses associated with the localcontroller.

FIG. 1 sets forth a block diagram illustrating certain fundamentalcomponents of a prior art control system 100. The prior art controlsystem 100 includes a plurality of sensor/actuators 111, 112, 113, 114,115, 116, and 117 electrically and physically coupled to a localcontroller 110. Local controller 110 provides power, formats and appliesdata signals from each of the sensors to predetermined process controlfunctions, and returns control signals as appropriate to the actuators.Often, prior art control systems are further integrated via the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) 120 to a central controller 130.Central controller 130 can also serve as a technician monitoring stationand/or forward alarm conditions via PSTN 120 to appropriate officials.

Prior art control systems similar to that of FIG. 1 require thedevelopment and installation of an application-specific local systemcontroller. In addition, each local system requires the direct couplingof electrical conductors to each sensor and actuator to the local systemcontroller. Such prior art control systems are typically augmented witha central controller 130 that may be networked to the local controller110 via PSTN 120. As a result, prior art control systems often aresusceptible to a single point of failure if the local controller 110goes out of service. Also, appropriately wiring an existing industrialplant can be dangerous and expensive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of present invention are directed to a system and methodof monitoring and controlling remote devices. More specifically, thepresent system is directed to a system for monitoring and controllingremote devices by transmitting data between the remote systems and agateway interface via a packet message protocol system.

A preferred embodiment can comprise one or more remote sensors to beread and one or more actuators to be remotely controlled. The remotesensor(s)/actuator(s) can interface with unique remote transceivers thattransmit and/or receive data. If necessary in individual applications,signal repeaters may relay information between the transceiver(s) andthe gateway interface. Communication links between the remotetransceivers and the gateway interface are preferably wireless, but mayalso be implemented with a mixture of wireless and wired communicationlinks.

To successfully communicate between the transceiver(s) and the gatewayinterface, a preferred embodiment of the present invention can receive aplurality of RF signal transmissions containing a packet protocol via apreferred embodiment of data structures that include sender and receiveridentifiers, a description of the packet itself, a message number,commands, data, and an error detector. The data structure can beintegrated with alternate data communication protocols for use with manyother communication systems and networks. Also, a preferred embodimentof the present invention can be integrated into an existing controlsystem using networked wireless transceivers. Distinct control signalsfrom the pre-existing system can be mapped into the packet protocolenabling integration into a pre-existing control system easily andinexpensively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art control system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a monitoring/control system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a transmitter in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention integrated with a sensorand an actuator.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a local gateway in accordancewith a preferred embodiment the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating the message protocol in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a table illustrating various “to” addresses in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates three sample messages using a message protocol systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment ofa control system 200 in accordance with the present invention. Thecontrol system 200 can consist of one or more transceivers. An exemplarytransceiver 205 can be integrated with a sensor 224 to form a firstcombination. A second transceiver 207 can be integrated with an actuator222 to form a second combination. The transceivers 205, 207 arepreferably wireless RF transceivers that are small and transmit alow-power-RF signal. As a result, in some applications, the transmissionrange of a given transceiver 205, 207 may be limited. As will beappreciated from the description that follows, this limited transmissionrange of the transceivers 205, 207 can be a desirable characteristic ofthe control system 200. Although the transceivers 205, 207 are depictedwithout user interfaces such as a keypad (not shown), the transceivers205, 207 may be configured with user selectable buttons or analphanumeric keypad (not shown). Often, the transceivers 205, 207 can beelectrically interfaced with a sensor/actuator 222 such as a smokedetector, a thermostat, or a security system, where external buttons arenot needed.

One or more specific types of RF transceivers can be used with thevarious embodiments of the present invention. For example, one RFtransceiver that may be used is the TR1000, manufactured by RFMonolithics, Inc. The TR1000 hybrid transceiver is well suited for shortrange, wireless data applications where robust operation, small size,low power consumption, and low-cost are desired. All critical RFfunctions may be performed within a single hybrid semi-conductor chip,simplifying circuit design and accelerating the design-in process. Thereceiver section of the TR1000 is sensitive and stable. A wide dynamicrange log detector, in combination with digital automatic gain control(AGC) provides robust performance in the presence of channel noise orinterference. Two stages of surface acoustic wave (SAW) filteringprovide excellent receiver out-of-band rejection. The TR100 includesprovisions for both on-off keyed (00K) and amplitude-shift key (ASK)modulation. The TR100 employs SAW filtering to suppress outputharmonies, for compliance with FCC and other regulations.

Additional details of the TR1000 transceiver need not be describedherein, because the present invention is not limited by the particularchoice of transceiver. Indeed, numerous RF transceivers may beimplemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Such other transceivers may include other 900 MHz transceivers, as wellas transceivers at other frequencies. In addition, infrared, ultrasonic,and other types of wireless transceivers may be employed. Furtherdetails of the TR1000 transceiver may be obtained through data sheets,application notes, design guides (e.g., the “ASH Transceiver DesignersGuide”), and other publications.

The control system 200 can also include a plurality of stand-alonetransceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221. Each of the stand-alonetransceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221, and each of the integratedtransceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224 can receive an incoming RFtransmission and transmit an outgoing signal. This outgoing signal maybe a low-power-RF transmission signal, a high-power-RF transmissionsignal, or may be electric signals transmitted over a conductive wire, afiber optic cable, or other transmission media. It will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that the integrated transceivers 212, 214,216, 222, and 224 can be replaced by RF transmitters for applicationsthat require continuous data collection only.

The local gateways 210 and 220 can receive remote data transmissionsfrom one or more of the stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221,or one or more of the integrated transceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and224. The local gateways 210 and 220 can analyze the transmissionsreceived, convert the transmissions into TCP/IP format, and furthercommunicate the remote data signal transmissions via the WAN 230. Thelocal gateways 210 and 220 may communicate information, servicerequests, and/or control signals to the remote integrated transceivers212, 214, 216, 222, and 224, from the server 260, the laptop computer240, and/or the workstation 250 across the WAN 230. The server 260 canbe further networked with the database server 270 to record clientspecific data. Further information regarding the integration ofembodiments of the present invention into the WAN 230 can be found inU.S. Pat. No. 6,891,838 application entitled, “System and Method forMonitoring and Controlling Residential Devices.”

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if an integratedtransceiver (either of 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224) is locatedsufficiently close to one of the local gateways 210 or 220 such that theintegrated transceiver's outgoing signal can be received by a gateway,the outgoing signal need not be processed and repeated through one ofthe stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, or 221.

A monitoring system constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention may be used in a variety of environments. Inaccordance with a preferred embodiment, a monitoring system 200 such asthat illustrated in FIG. 2 may be employed to monitor and record utilityusage by residential and industrial customers, to transfer vehiclediagnostics from an automobile via a RF transceiver integrated with thevehicle diagnostics bus to a local transceiver that further transmitsthe vehicle information through a local gateway onto a WAN, to monitorand control an irrigation system, or to automate a parking facility.Further information regarding these individual applications can be foundin U.S. Pat. No. 6,891,838 entitled, “System and Method for Monitoringand Controlling Residential Devices.”

The integrated transceivers 212, 214, 215, 222, and 224 can havesubstantially identical construction (particularly with regard to theirinternal electronics), which provides a cost-effective implementation atthe system level. Alternatively, the transceivers (integrated orstand-alone) can differ as known to one of ordinary skill in the art asnecessitated by individual design constraints. Furthermore, a pluralityof stand alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221, which may beidentical, can be disposed in such a way that adequate RF coverage isprovided.

Preferably, the stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221 may bedispersed sufficient that only one stand-alone transceiver will pick upa transmission from a given integrated transceiver 212, 214, 216, 222,and 224 (due in part to the low power transmission typically emitted byeach transmitter).

In certain instances, however, two or more, stand-alone transceivers maypick up a single transmission. Thus, the local gateways 210 and 220 mayreceive multiple versions of the same data transmission from anintegrated transceiver, but from different stand-alone transceivers.

The local gateways 210 and 220 may utilize this information totriangulate or otherwise more particularly assess a location from whichthe common data transmission is originating. Due to the transmittingdevice identifier incorporated within the preferred protocol in thetransmitted signal, duplicative transmissions (e.g., transmissionsduplicated to more than one gateway or to the same gateway) may beignored or otherwise appropriately handled.

The advantage of integrating a transceiver, as opposed to a one-waytransmitter, with the sensor is the transceiver's ability to receiveincoming control signals and to transmit data signals upon demand. Thelocal gateways 210 and 220 may communicate with all system transceivers.Since the local gateways 210 and 220 can be permanently integrated withthe WAN 230, the server 260 coupled to the WAN 230 can host applicationspecific software. Further, the data monitoring and control devices ofthe present invention can be movable as necessary given that they remainwithin signal range of a stand-alone transceiver 211, 213, 215, or 221that subsequently is within signal range of a local gateway 210, 220interconnected through one or more networks to server 260. As such,small application specific transmitters compatible with control system200 can be worn or carried. It will be appreciated that a person soequipped may be in communication with any device communicatively coupledwith the WAN 230.

In one embodiment, the server 260 collects, formats, and stores clientspecific data from each of the integrated transceivers 212, 214, 216,222, and 224 for later retrieval or access from the workstation 250 orthe laptop 240. The workstation 250 or the laptop 240 can be used toaccess the stored information through a Web browser. In anotherembodiment, the server 260 may perform the additional functions ofhosting application specific control system functions and replacing thelocal controller by generating required control signals for appropriatedistribution via the WAN 230 and the local gateways 210, 220 to thesystem actuators. In another embodiment, clients may elect forproprietary reasons to host any control applications on their own WANconnected workstation. The database 270 and the server 260 may actsolely as a data collection and reporting device with the clientworkstation 250 generating control signals for the system.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram illustratingcertain functional blocks of a transceiver 340 that may be integratedwith sensor 310 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, sensor 310 in its simplest form can be atwo-state device, such as a smoke alarm. Alternatively, the sensor 310may output a continuous range of values to the data interface 321 suchas a thermometer. If the signal output from the sensor 310 is an analogsignal, the data interface 321 may include an analog-to-digitalconverter (not shown) to convert signals output to the transceiver 340.Alternatively, a digital interface (communicating digital signals) mayexist between the data interface 321 and each sensor 310.

The sensor 310 can be communicatively coupled with the RF transceiver340. The RF transceiver 340 may comprise a RF transceiver controller328, a data interface 321, a data controller 324, a transceiveridentifier 326, and an antenna 328. As shown in FIG. 3, a data signalforwarded from the sensor 310 may be received at an input port of thedata interface 321. The data interface 321 may be configured to receivethe data signal. In those situations where the data interface hasreceived an analog data signal, the data interface 321 may be configuredto convert the analog signal into a digital signal before forwarding adigital representation of the data signal to the data controller 324.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each transceiver 340 may beconfigured with a unique transceiver identification 326 that uniquelyidentifies the RF transceiver 340. The transceiver identification 326may be programmable, and implemented an EPROM.

Alternatively, the transceiver identification 326 may be set and/orconfigured through a series of dual inline package (DIP) switches.Additional implementations of the transceiver identification 326,whereby the number may also be set and/or configured as desired, may beimplemented.

The unique transceiver identification 326 coupled with a function codefor a sensor “on” condition can be formatted by data controller 324 fortransformation into the RF signal 330 by RF transmitter 328 andtransmission via antenna 323.

While the unique transceiver address can be varied, it is preferably asix-byte address. The length of the address can be varied as necessarygiven individual design constraints. This data packet 330 communicatedfrom transceiver 340 will readily distinguish from similar signalsgenerated by other transceivers in the system.

Of course, additional and/or alternative configurations may also beprovided by a similarly configured transceiver. For example, a similarconfiguration may be provided for a transceiver that is integrated into,for example, a carbon monoxide detector, or a door position sensor.Alternatively, system parameters that vary across a range of values maybe transmitted by transceiver 340 as long as data interface 321 and datacontroller 324 are configured to apply a specific code that isconsistent with the input from sensor 310. As long as the code wasunderstood by the server 260 or workstation 250, the target parametercan be monitored by the embodiments of the present invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustratinga transmitter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The sensor 400 may be coupled to the RF transmitter 410. TheRF transmitter 410 may comprise a transmitter controller 405, a datainterface 420, a data controller 425, a transmitter identification 430,and an antenna 440. The data signal forwarded from the sensor 400 may bereceived at an input port of the data interface 420. The data interface420 may be configured to receive the data signal. In those situationswhere the data interface 420 has received an analog data signal, thedata interface 420 may be configured to convert the analog signal into adigital signal before forwarding a digital representation of the datasignal to the data controller 425.

Each transmitter/transceiver 410 may be configured with a uniquetransmitter identification 430 that uniquely identifies the RFtransmitter 410. The transmitter identification number 430 may beprogrammable, and implemented with an EPROM. Alternatively, thetransmitter identification 430 may be set and/or configured through aseries of dual inline package (DIP) switches. Additional implementationsof the transmitter identification 430, whereby the identification may beset and/or configured as desired, may also be implemented. The datacontroller 425 may be configured to receive both a data signal from thedata interface 420 and the transmitter identification 430. The datacontroller 425 may be configured to format (e.g., concatenate) both dataportions into a composite information signal. The composite informationsignal may be forwarded to the transmitter controller 415 which can thentransmit the encoded RF signal from the sensor 400 via a packet messageprotocol system. The transmitter controller 415 may convert informationfrom digital electronic form into a format, frequency, and voltage levelsuitable for transmission from antenna 440. The transmitteridentification 430 can be set for a given transmitter 410. When receivedby the application server 260 (FIG. 2), the transmitter identification430 may be used to access a look-up table that identifies, for example,the location, the system, and the particular parameter assigned to thatparticular transmitter. Additional information about the related systemmay also be provided within the lookup table, with particular functionalcodes associated with a corresponding condition or parameter, such asbut not limited to, an appliance operating cycle, a power status, atemperature, a position, and other information.

FIG. 5 sets forth a block diagram of the transceiver 500 integrated witha sensor 510 and an actuator 520 in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Here, the data interface 525 isshown with a single input from the sensor 510. It is easy to envision asystem that may include multiple sensor inputs. The RF transceiver 500may comprise a transceiver controller 530, a data interface 525, a datacontroller 535, a transceiver identification 540, and an antenna 550.The data signal forwarded from the sensor 510 may be received at aninput/output port of the data interface 525. The data interface 525 maybe configured to receive the data signal and transmit a command signal.In those situations where the data interface 525 has received an analogdata signal, the data interface 525 may be configured to convert theanalog signal into a digital signal before forwarding a digitalrepresentation of the data signal to the data controller 525. Similarly,when the data controller 535 forwards a digital representation of acommand signal, the data interface 525 may be configured to translatethe digital command signal into an analog voltage suitable to drive theactuator 520.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each RF transceiver 500 maybe configured with a unique transceiver identification 540 that uniquelyidentifies the RF transceiver 500. The transceiver identification 540may be set or configured as described above.

The data controller 535 may be configured to receive both a data signalfrom the data interface 525 and the transceiver identification number540. The data controller 535 may also receive one or more data signalsfrom other RF communication devices. As previously described, the datacontroller 535 may be configured to format (e.g., concatenate) both datasignal portions originating at the RF transceiver 500 into a compositeinformation signal which may also include data information from otherclosely located RF communication devices. The composite informationsignal may be forwarded to a transceiver controller 530, which may beconfigured to transmit the encoded RF data signals via the packetmessaging system. It will be appreciated that the transceiver controller530 may convert information from digital electronic form into a format,frequency, and voltage level suitable for transmission from the antenna550. For example, a common home heating and cooling system might beintegrated with an embodiment of the present invention. The home heatingsystem may include multiple data interface inputs from multiple sensors.A home thermostat control connected with the home heating system couldbe integrated with a sensor that reports the position of a manuallyadjusted temperature control (i.e., temperature set value) and a sensorintegrated with a thermister to report an ambient temperature. Thecondition of related parameters can be sent to the data interface 525 aswell as including the condition of the system on/off switch, the climatecontrol mode selected (i.e., heat, fan, or AC). In addition, dependingupon the specific implementation, other system parameters may beprovided to data interface 525 as well.

The addition of the actuator 520 to the integrated transceiver 500permits the data interface 525 to apply signals to the manualtemperature control for the temperature set point, the climate controlmode switch, and the system on/off switch. This, a remote workstation250 or a laptop 240 with WAN access (see FIG. 2) could control a homeheating system from a remote location.

Again, each of these various input sources can be routed to the datainterface 525, which provides the information to the data controller535. The data controller 535 may utilize a look up table to accessunique function codes that are communicated in the data packet 560,along with a transceiver identification code 540, to the local gatewayand further onto the WAN. In general, the operation of RF transceiver500 will be similar to that described above.

The various RF communication devices illustrated and described may beconfigured with a number of optional power supply configurations. Forexample, a personal mobile transceiver may be powered by a replaceablebattery. Similarly, a stand-alone RF transceiver repeater may be poweredby a replaceable battery that may be supplemented and/or periodicallycharged via a solar panel. These power supply circuits, therefore, maydiffer from RF communication device to RF communication device dependingupon the remote system monitored, the related actuators to becontrolled, the environment, and the quality of service level required.Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand how to meet thepower requirements of the various RF communication devices. As a result,it is not necessary to further describe a power supply suitable for eachRF communication device and each application in order to appreciate theconcepts and teachings of the present invention.

Having illustrated and described the operation of the variouscombinations of RF communication devices with the various sensors 114and sensor actuators 112 consistent with the present invention,reference is now made to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram furtherillustrating a local gateway 600 in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. A local gateway 600 may comprise anantenna 610, an RF transceiver 615, a central processing unit (CPU) 620,a memory 625, a network card 630, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem635, and an integrated services digital network (ISDN) interface card640. The local gateway 600 can also include many other components notillustrated in FIG. 6, capable of enabling a terminal control protocolInternet protocol (TCP/IP) connection to the WAN 130.

The RF transceiver 615 may be configured to receive incoming RF signaltransmissions via an antenna 610. Each of the incoming RF signaltransmissions can be consistently formatted in the convention previouslydescribed. The local gateway 600 may also be configured such that thememory 625 includes a look-up table 650 that may assist in identifyingthe various remote and intermediate RF communication devices used ingenerating and transmitting the received data transmission asillustrated in memory sectors 650 and 660 herein labeled, “IdentifyRemote Transceiver” and “Identify Intermediate Transceiver,”respectively. Programmed or recognized codes within the memory 625 mayalso be provided and configured for controlling the operation of a CPU620 to carry out the various functions that are orchestrated and/orcontrolled by the local gateway 600. For example, the memory 625 mayinclude program code for controlling the operation of the CPU 625 toevaluate an incoming data packet to determine what action needs to betaken. One or more look-up tables 650 may also be stored within thememory 625 to assist in this process. Furthermore, the memory 625 may beconfigured with program code to identify a remote RF transceiver 655 oridentify an intermediate RF transceiver 660. Function codes, RFtransmitter and/or RF transceiver identification numbers may all bestored with associated information in the look-up tables 650.

Thus, one look-up table 650 may be provided to associate transceiveridentifications with a particular user. Another look-up table 650 may beused to associate function codes with the interpretation thereof. Forexample, a unique code may be associated by a look-up table 650 toidentify functions such as test, temperature, smoke alarm active, orsecurity system breach. In connection with the lookup table(s) 650, thememory 625 may also include a plurality of code segments that areexecuted by the CPU 620, which may control operation of the gateway 600.

For example, a first data packet segment 665 may be provided to access afirst lookup table to determine the identity of the RF transceiver 625,which transmitted the received message. A second code segment may beprovided to access a second lookup table to determine the proximatelocation of the message generating RF transceiver 600, by identifyingthe RF transceiver 600 that relayed the message. A third code segmentmay be provided to identify the content of the message transmitted.Namely, is it a fire alarm, a security alarm, an emergency request by aperson, or a temperature control setting. Additional, fewer, ordifferent code segments may be provided to carry out differentfunctional operations and data signal transfers. The local gateway 600may also include one or more mechanisms to facilitate network basedcommunication with remote computing devices. For example, the gateway600 may include a network card 630, which may allow the gateway 600 tocommunicate across a local area network to a network server, which inturn may contain a backup gateway 110 to the WAN 645. Alternatively, thelocal gateway 600 may contain a DSL modem 635, which may be configuredto provide a link to a remote computing system, by way of the PSTN. Inyet another alternative, the local gateway 600 may include an ISDN card640 configured to communicate via an ISDN connection with a remotesystem. Other communication interfaces may be provided as well to serveas primary and or backup links to the WAN 645 or to local area networksthat might serve to permit local monitoring of local gateway 600 healthand data packet control.

For each of the remote devices to communicate, there needs to be astandard enabling each device to understand a message. FIG. 7 sets fortha format of a data packet protocol in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. All messages transmitted within thesystem consist of a “to” address 700, a “from” address 710, a packetnumber 720, a number of packets in a transmission 730, a packet length740, a message number 750, a command number 760, any data 770, and acheck sum error detector (CKH 780 and CKL 790).

The “to” address 700 can indicate the intended recipient of the packet.This address can be scalable from one to six bytes based upon the sizeand complexity of the system. By way of example, the “to” address 700can indicate a general message to all transceivers, to only thestand-alone transceivers, or to an individual integrated transceiver. Ina six byte “to” address, the first byte indicates the transceiver typeto all transceivers, to some transceivers, or a specific transceiver.The second byte can be the identification base, and bytes three throughsix can be used for the unique transceiver address (either stand-aloneor integrated). The “to” address 700 can be scalable from one byte tosix bytes depending upon the intended recipient(s). The “from” address710 can be a the six-byte unique transceiver address of the transceiveroriginating the transmission. The “from” address 710 can be the addressof the controller when the controller requests data, or this can be theaddress of the integrated transceiver when the integrated transceiversends a response to a request for information to the controller.

The packet number 720, the packet maximum 730, and the packet length 740can be used to concatenate messages that are greater than 128 bytes. Thepacket maximum 730 can indicate the number of packets in the message.The packet number 720 may be used to indicate a packet sequence numberfor a multiple-packet message.

The message number 750 can be originally assigned by the controller.Messages originating from the controller can be assigned an even number.Responses to the controller can be the original message number plus one,rendering the responding message number odd. The controller can thenincrement the message number 750 by two for each new originatingmessage. This enables the controller to coordinate the incomingresponses to the appropriate command message.

The next section is the command byte 760 that requests data from thereceiving device as necessary. There can be two types of commands:device specific and not device specific. Device specific commands cancontrol a specific device such as a data request or a change in currentactuator settings. A number of commands are not device specific. Suchcommands are for example, but not limited to, a ping, an acknowledge, anon-acknowledgement, downstream repeat, upstream repeat, read status,emergency message, and a request for general data, among others. Generaldata may include a software version number, the number of powerfailures, and/or the number of resets.

The data 770 section may contain data as requested by a specificcommand. The requested data can be many values. By way of example, testdata can be encoded in ASCII (American Standard Code for InformationInterchange) or many other encoding systems. The data section of asingle packet can be scalable up to 109 bytes. When the requested dataexceeds 109 bytes, the integrated transceiver can divide the data intoappropriate number of sections and concatenates the series of packetsfor one message using the packet identifiers as discussed 25 above.

The checksum sections 780, 790 can be used to detect errors in thetransmissions. In one embodiment, any error can be detected via cyclicredundancy check sum methodology. This methodology divides the messageas a large binary number by the generating polynomial (in this case,CRC-16). The remainder of this division is then sent with the message asthe checksum.

The receiver then calculates a checksum using the same methodology andcompares the two checksums. If the checksums do not match, the packet ormessage will be ignored. While this error detection methodology ispreferred, many other error detection systems can be used.

In one embodiment of this invention, this system can be implemented viaan RF link at a basic rate of 4,800 bits per second (bps) with a datarate of 2,400 bps. All the data can be encoded in the Manchester formatsuch that a high to low transition at the bit center point represents alogic zero and a low to high transition represents a logic one. Other RFformats can be used depending upon individual design constraints. Forexample, a quadrature phase shift encoding method could be used,enabling the control system to communicate via hexadecimal instead ofbinary.

While the message indicates specific byte length for each section, onlythe order of the specific information within the message is constant.The byte position number in individual transmissions can vary because ofthe scalability of the “to” address, the command byte, and thescalability of the data.

The message can further include a preface and a postscript (not shown).The preface and postscripts are not part of the message body, but ratherserve to synchronize the control system and to frame each packet of themessage. The packet begins with the preface and ends with a postscript.The preface can be a series of twenty-four logic ones followed by twobit times of high voltage with no transition. The first byte of thepacket can then follow immediately. The postscript will be a transitionof the transmit data line from a high voltage to a low voltage, ifnecessary. It is less desirable to not leave the transmit data line highafter the message is sent.

FIG. 8 sets forth a preferred embodiment of the “to” address byteassignment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 8, the “to” address consists of six bytes. The first byte(Byte 1) can indicate the device type. The second byte (Byte 2) canindicate the manufacturer or the owner. The third byte (Byte 3) can be afurther indication of the manufacturer or owner. The fourth byte (Byte4) can either indicate that the message is for all devices, or that themessage is for a particular device. If the message is for all devices,the fourth byte can be a particular code. If the message is for aparticular device, the fourth, fifth, and sixth bytes (Byte 5 and Byte6) can be a unique identifier for the particular devices.

Having described a general message structure in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, reference is made to FIG. 9. FIG. 9illustrates three sample messages. The first message 910 illustrates thebroadcast of an emergency message “FF” from a central server with anaddress “0012345678” to a integrated transceiver with an address of“FF.”

The second message 920 illustrates how the first message might be sentto a stand-alone transceiver. Emergency message “FF” from a centralserver with address “00123456578” can be first sent to stand-alonetransceiver “FO.” The second message contains additional command data“A000123456” that may be used by the system to identify furthertransceivers to send the signal through on the way to the destinationdevice.

The third message 930 illustrated in FIG. 9 illustrates how the messageprotocol of the present invention may be used to “ping” a remotetransceiver to determine transceiver health.

For example, source unit “E112345678” may originate a ping request bysending command “08” to a transceiver identified as “A012345678.” Theresponse to the ping request can be as simple as reversing the “toaddress” and the “from address” of the command such that a healthyreceiver will send a ping message back to the originating device. Asystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention may be configured to expect a return ping within a specifictime period. Operators of the present invention could use the delaybetween the ping request and the ping response to model system loads andto determine if specific system parameters might be adequately monitoredand controlled with the expected feedback transmission delay of thesystem.

Returning to FIG. 2, the local gateway 210 can act as a localcommunications master in a system, such as system 200. With theexception of emergency messages, the local gateway 210 usually initiatescommunications with any remote transceivers (either stand-alone 211,213, 215, 221 or integrated 212, 214, 216, 224). The remote transceiversthen respond based upon the command received in the message. In general,the local gateway 210 expects a response to all messages sent to any ofthe remote transceivers 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 221, and 225.

To acknowledge a message, any of the remote transceivers 211, 212, 213,214, 215, 216, 221, 224 can send one of two messages: a positiveacknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement. The positiveacknowledgement may have two forms. When the message is between thelocal gateway 210 or a stand-alone transceiver 211, 213, 215, 221 andanother stand-alone transceiver 211, 213, 215, 221, the acknowledgementcan be a re-send the original message with no changes. The second formis for a message sent from the local gateway 210 stand-alone transceiver211, 213, 215, 221 to a integrated transceiver 212, 214, 216, 224. Inthis case, the positive acknowledgement can be a message containing therequested data.

Emergency messages are preferably the only messages initiated by theintegrated transceivers 212, 214, 216, 224. To accommodate receiving anyemergency messages, the local gateway 210 may dedicate one-half of everyten-second period to receive emergency messages.

During these time periods, the local gateway 210 may not transmitmessages other than acknowledgements to any emergency messages. Theintegrated transceivers 212, 214, 216, 224 may detect the period ofsilence, and in response, may then transmit the emergency message.

There are typically two forms of emergency messages: from personalsafety/security transceiver(s) and from permanently installedsafety/security transceiver(s). In the first case of the personaltransceiver, the emergency message can consist of a predetermined “to”address and an odd, random number. In response to this emergencymessage, the local gateway 210 can acknowledge during a silent period.The personal transceiver can then repeat the same emergency message. Thelocal gateway 210 can then forward the emergency message on to the WAN230 in the normal manner.

Upon receipt of the local gateway 210 acknowledgement, the personaltransceiver can reset itself. If no acknowledgement is received within apredetermined time period, the personal transceiver may continue tore-transmit the original emergency message until acknowledged by thelocal gateway 210 for a predetermined number of re-transmissions.

In the second case, the permanently installed safety/securitytransceiver (212) may send one message to the local gateway 210 during atime out period. The emergency message can be transmitted to apredetermined address other than the emergency address for personaltransceivers.

The foregoing description has illustrated certain fundamental conceptsof the invention, and other additions and/or modifications may be madeconsistent with the inventive concepts.

For example, the one-way transmitters may be adapted to continuouslymonitor the current status of water, gas, and other utility meters.One-way transmitters might further be used to monitor and report actualoperational hours on rental equipment or any other apparatus that mustbe serviced or monitored on an actual run-time schedule.

The transceivers of the current invention may be adapted to monitor andapply control signals in an unlimited number of applications. Forexample, two-way transceivers of the current invention can be adaptedfor use with pay-type-publicly-located telephones, cable television setconverter boxes, and a host of residential appliances and devicesenabling a remote controllable home automation and security system. Forexample, building automation systems, fire control systems, alarmsystems, industrial trash compactors, and building elevators can bemonitored and controlled with devices consistent with the presentinvention. In addition, courier drop boxes, time clock systems,automated teller machines, self-service copy machines, and otherself-service devices can be monitored and controlled as appropriate. Byway of further example, a number of environment variables that requiremonitoring can be integrated with the system of the present invention topermit remote monitoring and control. For instance, light levels in thearea adjacent to automated teller machines must meet minimum federalstandards. Also, the water volume transferred by water treatment plantpumps, smokestack emissions from a coal burning power plant or a cokefueled steel plant oven can be remotely monitored.

In a geographic area appropriately networked with permanently locatedstand-alone transceivers consistent with the embodiments of theinvention, personal transceivers can be used to monitor and controlpersonnel access and egress from specific rooms or portions within acontrolled facility. Personal transceivers can also be configured totransfer personal information to public emergency response personnel, totransfer personal billing information to vending machines, or to monitorindividuals within an assisted living community.

The transceivers using the packet message protocol of the presentinvention may be further integrated with a voice-band transceiver. As aresult, when a person presses, for example, the emergency button on atransmitter, medical personnel, staff members, or others may respond bycommunicating via two-way radio with the person. Each transceiver may beequipped with a microphone and a speaker enabling a person tocommunication information such as their present emergency situation ortheir specific location.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description.

It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventions to theprecise embodiments disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations arepossible in light of the above teachings. For example, the transceivercan be permanently integrated into an alarm sensor or other stationarydevice within a system, and the control system server and/or localgateway could be configured to identify the transceiver location by thetransceiver identification number alone. It will be appreciated that, inembodiments that do not utilize stand-alone transceivers, thetransceivers will be configured to transmit at a high RF power level toeffectively communicate with the control system local gateway.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the informationtransmitted and received by the wireless transceivers of the presentinvention may be further integrated with other data transmissionprotocols for transmission across telecommunications and computernetworks. In addition, it should be further appreciated thattelecommunications and computer networks can function as a transmissionpath between the networked wireless transceivers, the local gateways,and the central server.

While the various embodiments of this invention have been described indetail with particular reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilledin the art will understand that variations and modifications can beeffected within the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the presentinvention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments, andshould only be defined by the following claims and all applicableequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication device for use in awireless communication system configured to communicate command andsensed data within the wireless communication systems, the wirelesscommunication device comprising: a transceiver configured to send andreceive wireless communications; and a controller configured tocommunicate with at least one other remote wireless device via thetransceiver with a preformatted message, the controller furtherconfigured to format a message comprising a receiver address comprisingan address of at least one remote wireless device; a command indicatorcomprising a command code; a data value comprising a message.
 2. Thewireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to receive a preformatted message from another wirelesscommunication device, and based on a command code provided in thepreformatted message, implement a certain function corresponding to thecommand code.
 3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, whereinthe transceiver comprises a unique transceiver address to distinguishthe transceiver from other transceivers in the wireless communicationsystem.
 4. The wireless communication device of claim 3, wherein theunique transceiver address is an Internet Protocol address.
 5. Thewireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the command codefurther comprises an Internet Protocol address.
 6. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 2, wherein the command code of thepreformatted message are concatenated to provide a receiving device withmultiple command codes, the device configured to perform one or morefunctions corresponding to the command code in the preformatted message.7. A method of communicating command and sensed data between remotewireless devices, the method comprising: providing a receiver to receiveat least one message; wherein the message has a packet that comprises areceiver address, a command indicator comprising a command code, avariable data value comprising a message, and a redundancy check errordetector; and providing a controller to determine if at least onereceived message is a duplicate message and determining a location fromwhich the duplicate message originated.
 8. The method of claim 7,further comprising providing one or more remote wireless communicationdevices, wherein the remote wireless devices comprise geographicallyremote transceivers adapted to transmit and receive the at least onemessage, and wherein transmission is accomplished by radio frequency orinternet protocol.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprisingproviding at least one remote wireless communication device, wherein atleast one of the devices has a unique address and the packet furthercomprises at least one address field to contain the unique address forat least one device.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the uniqueaddress of at least one remote wireless communication device is anInternet Protocol address.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprisingdetermining if an error exists in a packet of the at least one message.12. In a communication system to communicate command and sensed databetween remote devices, the system comprising: a receiver configured toreceive a data packet, the data packet comprising a receiver address ofat least one remote device; a command indicator comprising a commandcode; a data value comprising a message; and a controller associatedwith a remote wireless device comprising a transceiver configured tosend and receive wireless signals, the remote device configured to senda preformatted message comprising the receiver address, a commandindicator, and the data value via the transceiver to at least one otherremote device.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: aplurality of transceivers each having a unique address, the transceiverbeing one of the plurality of transceivers; a plurality of controllersassociated with each the controller associated with at least one of thetransceivers, the controller being in communication with at least oneother transceiver with a preformatted message; and at least one sensorassociated with at least one of the transceivers to detect a conditionand output a data signal to the transceiver and at least one actuatorassociated with at least one of the transceivers to activate a device.14. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller sends thepreformatted message via an associated transceiver, and at least onetransceiver sends the preformatted response message.
 15. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the preformatted message is concatenated with functioncodes to provide the receiving device with multiple function codes, thedevice configured to perform the functions in the preformatted message.16. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one transceiver receivesthe preformatted message requesting sensed data, confirms the receiveraddress as its own unique address, receives a sensed data signal,formats the sensed data signal into scalable byte segments, determinesthe number of segments required to contain the sensed data signal, andgenerates and transmits the preformatted response message comprising atleast one packet.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the unique addressof at least one receiver is an Internet Protocol address.
 18. A wirelesscommunication device for use in a communication system to communicatecommands and sensed data between remote wireless communication devices,the wireless communication device comprising: a transceiver configuredto send and receive wireless communications; and a controller,operatively coupled to the transceiver, configured to communicate withat least one other remote wireless device via the transceiver with apreformatted message, the controller further configured to receive andformat data messages, wherein data messages comprising a receiveraddress comprising an address of at least one remote wireless device; acommand indicator comprising a command code; a data value comprising ascalable message; and a function code corresponding to function statusof a device co-located with the transceiver.
 19. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 18, wherein the device co-located with thetransceiver is a sensor operatively coupled to the controller, andwherein the controller is configured to format the data value with datasensed by the sensor.
 20. The wireless communication device of claim 18,wherein the command code comprises at least one of a device-specificcode or a non-device-specific code, wherein the device-specific codecommands change of a setting of an actuator co-located with thetransceiver and the non-device-specific code includes networkstatus/diagnostic commands.